Article washer



P. A. MOUNTZ Aug. 6, 1963 ARTICLE WASHER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2'7, 1960 INVENTOR. Paul A. Mounfz BY Attorneys P. A. MOUNTZ Aug. 6, 1963 ARTICLE WASHER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 27, 1960 INVENTOR. Paul A. Mounfz A Horneys Aug. 6, 1963 P. A. MOUNTZ 3,099,848

ARTICLE WASHER Filed Oct. 27, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. F g. 3 Paul A. Mouniz BY f AM A Horneys P. A. MOUNTZ ARTICLE WASHER Aug. 6, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed 001;. 27, 1960 INVENTOR. Paul A. Moumz WQ AM A trorneys P. A. MOUNTZ ARTICLE WASHER Aug. 6, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001:. 27, 1960 INVENTOR. Paul A. Mounfz Av AQLQW A fiorneys om m (w E t Mm a 0 u o a e 3 u u 0 0 0 n C v 6 L E P. A. MOUNTZ ARTICLE WASHER Aug. 6, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 27, 1960 Fig. 12

mmvrox F [2 Paul A. Mounfz x Acmww Arrorneys United States Patent 3,099,848 ARTICLE WASHER Paul A. Mountz, Menlo Park, Calif, assignor to Lathan Manufacturing Company, Redwood City, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 27, 1969, Ser. No. 65,396 5 Claims. (Q1. -314) This invention relates generally to an apparatus for washing articles and more particularly relates to an apparatus for thoroughly scrubbing and cleaning fragile articles, such as eggs, to remove adhered dirt, straw and other foreign matter from the surfaces thereof. In conjunction With the washing of such articles, the subject apparatus employs a washing fluid which has sterilizing characteristics for inactivating and removing any infectious bacteria from the surfaces of the articles being washed.

Although the subject invention relates to an apparatus designed primarily for the cleaning and sterilizing of eggs, the same is equally well adapted for use in cleaning other articles as well, particularly if such articles are easily damaged. While reference hereinafter will be directed primarily to use of this invention in the treatment of eggs, it should be understood that the invention has broader applications, as hereinbefore noted, and could be used equally well in the cleaning of fruits and like articles.

Summarizing the invention, the same relates to moving the articles to be washed, preferably in spaced side-byside rows, past a. washing station provided in the article washing apparatus. At such washing station washing structure including scrubbing means is provided which is vertically reciprocatable relative to the articles to be cleaned. Preferably, the articles are rolled about their respective axes as the same are carried past the washing station and the scrubbing means is rapidly reciprocated into contact with the respective articles so that each article is repeatedly contacted by the scrubbing means to insure complete and thorough cleaning thereof. Because the articles are constantly turning as they travel beneath the scrubbing means, all surfaces of the respective articles are thoroughly scrubbed. A suitable washing fluid, preferably of the type which has sterilizing characteristics, is supplied to the scrubbing means and is applied thereby directly to the article surfaces in a wet washing operation.

Preferably the scrubbing means employed comprises a plurality of series of tufts of brush bristles, certain predetermined tufts in each series being longer than the other tufts in such series. That is, the bristle tufts of each series are shaped with a predetermined contour at their lower ends which is determined generally by the configuration of the articles being washed. For example, in the subject egg washer apparatus, the lower endsof a given series of brush bristle tufts conform generally to the upper half of the oval outer contour of the eggs so that each egg is thoroughly scrubbed, not only about its mid-portion but also along its opposite ends, such opposite ends of each egg being scrubbed by the longer bristle tufts of each series.

While egg washing devices have been known generally heretofore in which rows of eggs are moved into contact with scrubbing means, the subject invention is believed to be the first to employ a rapidly vertically reciprocatable carrier for such scrubbing means in which the respective scrubbing means are contoured to conform generally to the outer contour of the articles being washed so that complete article washing is insured.

In addition, because article washing apparatus of the subject type frequently employs more than one conveyor section for transporting the articles being washed through the washing apparatus, the subject invention also involves "ice the use of transfer means between adjacent conveyor sections for supporting fragile articles during their movement from one conveyor section to the other so that damage thereto will be precluded.

Objects of the present invention include the provision of an egg or like fragile article washing apparatus; the provision of such an apparatus and method which employs structure including a vertically reciprocatable carrier for article scrubbing means; the provision of such a carrier in which the scrubbing means are contoured to conform to the contour of the articles being washed; the provision of means for rapidly reciprocating the carrier and scrubbing means thereon in timed relationship with movement of the articles thercbeneath; and the provision of adjustable means for effecting transfer of fragile articles from one conveyor section in a washing apparatus to another conveyor section thereof without article damage. These and other objects of the subject invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification in which reference is directed to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the subject article washing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cut away longitudinal vertical sectional view through the washing apparatus showing internal details thereof.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the apparatus, taken in the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the apparatus, taken in the plane of line 44 of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical section through the ap paratus defined by the line 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view through the apparatus taken in the plane of line -66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the carrier for the scrubbing means of the subject apparatus taken in the plane of line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale through the carrier taken in the plane of line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view on a reduced scale of the means for supporting and transferring articles from one conveyor section of a subject apparatus to another.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view through such supporting means taken in the plane of line l010 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view illustrating the manner in which the article supporting means of FIG. 9 may be adjustably mounted relative to the apparatus housing.

FIGS. 12 and 12a are generally schematic views illustrating the manner in which the article supporting means of FIG. 9 operates in transferring articles from one conveyor section to another.

Summarizing the subject apparatus employed with this invention, a plurality of eggs to be washed are transported in spaced rows by a conveyor past an egg washing struc ture at a washing station. The conveyor desirably comprises a plurality of contoured rollers between each adjacent pair of which a row of eggs is carried. As the conveyor rollers rotate about their respective axes, the eggs are simultaneously rotated about their respective axes as they are moved longitudinally past the washing station. Positioned above the conveyor at the washing station is a vertically reciprocatable carrier on which scrubbing means, desirably defined by pre-arranged series of brush bristle tufts, are mounted in depending relationship. Means is provided for rapidly and repeatedly reciprocating the carrier in the vertical direction so that the brush tufts thereon are repeatedly engaged with the eggs as they are rolled by the conveyor beneath the carrier.

Distribution means also is provided for supplying a quantity of egg washing and sterilizing fluid to the carrier so that such fluid is applied directly to the eggs by the brush bristles. Because the brush bristle tufts are arranged in a predetermined manner and the lower ends thereof are selectively arranged to conform to the outer configuration of the eggs, complete and thorough washing and sterilizing of the eggs is effected. Following movement of the eggs from the washing station, the same are subjected to a spray rinse which effects a final clean ing and sterilizing of the eggs. Following the final spray rinse, the eggs are moved away from the washing apparatus for subsequent well known treatment, such as drying, candling and oiling, following which the eggs are packaged for shipment to the ultimate consumer. If desired, one long conveyor may be employed to supply eggs to the washing station and to carry washed eggs therefrom; or, alternatively, separate infeed and take-off conveyor sections may be employed in conjunction with a main conveyor section which moves the eggs past the washing station.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the subject apparatus comprises a housing 1 which defines the Washing station of the apparatus. Such housing has an infeed end 2 and a discharge end 3 through which eggs to be washed are moved. In the embodiment shown, a separate infeed conveyor 4 is provided for continuously supplying a quantity of eggs to the washing station. Rows of eggs may be supplied to the infeed conveyor by hand or by using well known vacum cup lifters. An egg take-01f conveyor 6 is shown at the discharge end of the housing for removing washed eggs from the washing station. Extending between the infeed conveyor 4 and the take-off conveyor 6 and running the length of the housing 1 is a main conveyor 7 which moves the eggs beneath a vertically reciprocatable carrier 8 on which scrubbing means to 'be described is mounted. While in the embodiment illustrated separate infeed and take-01f conveyors are illustrated in conjunction with the main conveyor 7, it should be understood that the conveyor 7 itself may be extended either at the infeed end of the housing or at the take-off end thereof so that only one elongated conveyor is employed. However, so that the washing apparatus may be a complete unit in and of itself which is compact and 'does not include unnecessary length, it has been found desirable to use separate infeed or takeofl conveyors as illustrated. -In such case, means 11 are provided between adjacent ends of the respective conveyor sections for bridging the gap therebetween to effect egg transfer from one conveyor section to another. As seen in FIG. 1 such means 11 comprises an adjustable mounting plate structure to be described hereinafter which extends between adjacent ends of the respective conveyor sections to effect transfer of eggs between the sections without breakage or damage.

In the bottom of housing 1 is a washing fluid supply tank 12 containing a supply of washing fluid 13 Filter pump means 14 is provided in the tank which is connected by suitable conduit means 15 to fluid distribution means 16 mounted above the carrier 8 for supplying washing fluid thereto. Adjacent the discharge end 3 of the housing is provided final rinse spray apparatus 17 through which a final spray of washing and sterilizing fluid is applied to the eggs just prior to their discharge from the apparatus. The washing fluid for the spray apparatus 17 is drawn from a fluid supply (not shown) separate from that in tank 12.

Fluid supply tank 12 is preferably batch filled through a conduit and valve arrangement 18 provided at the bottom of the housing. A drain valve 19 also is provided which, when opened, connects supply tank 12 with a vertical drain pipe 21 connectable to a sewer drain. As seen to the left of FIG. 2 the tank 12 in the housing tenninates below the conveyor 7 in the housing and any excess Washing fluid in the tank may overflow therefrom into an overflow pipe 22 which in turn is connected to vertical drain pipe 21 below valve -19 by means of a horizontal drain pipe 23.

The final rinse fluid applied to the eggs by spray apparatus 17 continuously increases the quantity of fluid in supply tank 12 so that there is a substantially predetermined constant overflow from the tank. In this manner, a certain predetermined amount of the washing fluid in tank 12 is continuously changed to enhance the sterility of the washing fluid. Suitable means (not shown) are employed with tank 12 to maintain the washing fluid at a predetermined temperature. Desirably, the washing fluid 13 in tank 12 is withdrawn one or more times during each day of operation of the apparatus and a new batch of fluid substituted therefor so that at all times an adequate supply of clean, sterile and eifective washing fluid is available.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of spaced legs 26 each of which is provided at its lower end with an adjustable leveling foot 27 is provided for supporting the housing and conveyor sections above the surface 28 on which the apparatus is supported.

Desirably the conveyor arrangement employed and the carrier 8 are driven from the same power source, preferably an electric motor arrangement 30 mounted on a suitable platform 31 beneath the housing .1. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a drive chain 32 extends between a sprocket 33 operatively connected by shaft 34 to the motor arrangement 30 and a sprocket 35 mounted on a drive shaft 36 of the conveyor 7. Similarly, as seen in FIGS. 1-3, a friction belt 38 passes over a lower pulley 39 mounted on shaft 40 which is operatively connected to the motor arrangement 30. Belt 30 also passes over an upper pulley 41 secured to one end of a carnier actuating drive shaft 42 extending transversely above the top of the housing. In this manner, the conveyor for moving eggs through the apparatus and the carrier may be operated in timed relationship with each other from the same power source. positioned over chain 32 and belt 38 respectively to preclude injury to persons working near the apparatus.

In the embodiment illustrated, a separate electric motor 46 mounted externally of the housing preferably is employed to operate the aforementioned pump 14 which supplies the washing fluid to the carrier. If separate infeed and take-01f conveyor sections are employed with the apparatus, the same may be driven directly from the main conveyor section 7 in any well known manner, such as by connecting drive chains 47 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that such infeed and take-off conveyor sections may be driven in direct timed relationship relative to the main conveyor section 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 6, the main conveyor 7 comprises a plurality of spaced operatively interconnected rubber or like resilient rollers 51 each of which is rotatable about its respective axis on a pair of pins '52 which extend from opposite ends of each roller. Each pin 52 is received in a recess in each roller end as best seen in 'FIGS. 5 and 6. Each roller pin 52 is in turn connected in a hook and eye arrangement as seen at 53 in FIGS. 5 and 6 which together define a roller chain 54. It should be understood that a pair of such chains are employed on opposite sides of the housing. Each roller 51 is spaced from the adjacent rollers and is movable therewith. Rollers 51 are provided with a series of spaced circumferential grooves or depression 55 extending thereabout which are adapted to spacedly receive a row of eggs E as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5.

A pair of rails 56 extend internally of the housing in vertically spaced relationship along and are secured to. opposite side walls 57 of the housing as seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. An end of each conveyor roller is engaged with and supported by one of such rails. In this manner, as the conveyor chains 54 are driven, the rollers 51 are Preferably, metal guards 43 and 44 are rolled about their respective axes in engagement with the rails 56 as the conveyor moves longitudinally through the housing.

A pair of sprockets 58 are provided at the discharge end of the housing which are mounted on aforementioned conveyor drive shaft 36 and are rotatable therewith. Each chain 54 passes over one of said sprockets 58. At the opposite end of the housing a pair of idler sprockets '59 are mounted on a rotatable shaft 60 (FIG. 2) and chains 54 pass over such sprockets. Desirably a third pair of sprockets 61 are provided on another shaft 62 positioned below shaft 60 (FIG. 2) over which the respective chains also pass. Desirably shaft '62 is slidably adjustable relative to the housing so that tension of a predetermined amount may be applied to the conveyor drive chains. For this purpose, a suitable chain take-up mechanism 63 of any well known type is provided externally of a housing (FIG. 1) for slidably adjusting shaft 62 on which idler sprockets 61 are mounted.

It should be understood that each adjacent pair of rollers 51 of conveyor 7 provide therebetween a space for a row of eggs to he moved thereby. As the respective rollers of the conveyor are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6, the eggs carried thereby will simultaneously be rotated about their axes in the direction of the arrows. At the same time the eggs are rolling about their own axes they are being moved longitudinally through the housing as the conveyor chains 54 move the rollers 51 through the housing.

Mounted above the conveyor 7 for vertical reciprocation relative thereto is the scrubbing means carrier 8 mentioned previously. Desirably, such carrier comprises plate structure defined by a plurality of separate apertured plate sections 65 each of which is intended to receive in depending relationship a plurality of brush bristle tufts 6-6. It should be understood that each plate section 65 of carrier 8 extends substantially the full width of the housing as seen in dotted lines in FIG. 7. Desirably each carrier section 65 is of two piece construction defined by a lower apertured plate 67 and an upper or overlying apertured plate 68. As seen in FIG. 8, the lower plate apertures 69 are substantially larger than the apertures 71 in the upper plate. It is in the lower plate apertures 69 that the upper ends of the respective brush tufts 66 are received.

Preferably such brush tufts comprise a series of discrete and soft bristles, such as clear, flexible nylon bristles of small diameter (bristles which are about .012 inch in diameter having been found suitable). Each tuft is reversely bent intermediate its ends as seen at 72 in FIG. 8. Each such tuft has extending through the bent upper end thereof a fastening wire 73 by means of which the respective tufts are maintained in engagement with the carrier. Because the upper plate apertures 71 are smaller than the apertures 69 of the lower plate in which the bristle tuft ends are received, the tufts cannot pass through the upper plate and accordingly the respective tufts are securely engaged with the carrier. The respective plates of each carrier plate section are held in operative engagement with each other by means of bolt fasteners 76 or the like which extend through the upper plate 68 and are threadedly engaged in bores 74 provided in the lower plate 67 as seen in FIG. 5.

Preferably, the same wire 73 is employed to secure a plurality of bristle tufts in engagement with the carrier as illustrated in FIG. 7. That is, a wire 73 may be extended between a plurality of adjacent bristle tufts in any one of numerous patterns found convenient by the apparatus manufacturer. As seen in FIG. 7, any desired number of bristle tufts may be maintained in place by a given wire 73. With this simple mounting arrangement, the bristle tufts may be easily fastened in the carrier and new bristle tufts may be readily substituted for worn tufts.

An important feature of this invention resides in the particular mounting arrangement of and configuration defined by the respective brush bristle tufts 66. Because of the ovoid configuration of the eggs, with prior art arrangements complete and thorough cleaning of eggs has been diflicult to obtain in that it is difficult to reach the opposite ends of the eggs with brushes or like scrubbing means. With the present invention thorough cleaning of the eggs at their ends is insured because the bristle tufts are arranged in a predetermined manner so that the lower ends of certain tufts depend further from the carrier than other tufts. Accordingly a concave configuration is defined by the ends of a given group of brush tufts which generally conforms to the oval outer configuration of the upper half of an egg. That is, certain preselected Itufts in each longitudinal series of tufts are up to /2 inch longer than the remaining tufts in such series as seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, such longer tufts being adapted to engage and clean an end of an egg as the carrier reciprocates.

In addition, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tufts are arranged in longitudinally spaced rows each of which ex tends transversely of the carrier 8. The tufts in adjacent spaced rows are laterally staggered relative to each other as seen in FIGS. 5 and 7. That is, the bristle tufts in every other row are in longitudinal alignment with each other but the bristle tufts in adjacent rows are staggered or laterally offset relative to each other. In this manner, a substantially solid series of bristles is provided to insure proper cleaning of each egg.

Because, as seen in FIG. 3, a plurality of six or more eggs are carried side by side in each row of eggs passing through the washing apparatus, an equal number of longitudinal series of bristle tufts similarly are provided. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, two side-by-side longitudinal series of brushes, designated S1 and S2, are shown. The width of each such series slightly exceeds the average length of an egg. In this arrangement (see FIG. 5 the longer tufts in each series are positioned to overlie the ends of the egg carried longitudinally beneath such series so that such longer tufts will engage the egg ends when the carrier 8 is reciprocated to thoroughly cleanse the ends of the eggs. The shorter bristle tufts in each series engage the central portion of the eggs to clean the same. Because the eggs are constantly rotating about their own axes as they are moved longitudinally through the housing, continued reciprocation of the carrier insures thorough and complete cleaning of each egg due to the preselected contour imparted to the lower ends of the bristle tufts in 'a given longitudinal, series. As seen in dotted lines in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bristles at the bottom of each stroke of the carrier will contact substantially the entire upper half of each egg.

As noted previously, the carrier 8 is mounted for vertical reciprocation relative to the conveyor and the supporting means employed for such mounting desirably comprises a pair of U-shaped mounting bars (FIG. 3) between which the respective plate sections 65 of carrier 8 extend. That is, the aforementioned bolt fasteners 76 which operatively secure together the respective upper and lower plates of the carrier extend through pre-formed slots 81 in the respective mounting bars and thereby secure the plates to the bars.

Mounting bars 80 extend substantially the full length of the carrier and have secured adjacent opposite ends thereof means for guiding the carrier during its vertical reciprocation. As seen in FIG. 3 such guide means comprises bearing guides 82 which are slidably received around associated guide rods 83 which extend vertically of the housing and are secured to the opposite side Walls 57 thereof by brackets 84. That is, at each of the four corners of the carrier 8 is provided a guide rod 83 along which a hollow bearing guide 82 attached to the carrier is slidably movable. In this manner, the carrier 8 is reciprocata'bly mounted for vertical movement relative to the conveyor movable therebeneath.

and is imparted with a generally flattened U-shape which conforms generally to the shape of the outer periphery of an egg. Thus each supporting member defines a com cavely contoured article supporting section which forms part of the plate structure which makes up the article supporting transfer means.

When the mounting plate structure is positioned be tween adjacent conveyor sections in the gap between the ends thereof each supporting member forms a bridge for supporting an egg as the same moves trom one conveyor section to the other. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, six side-by-side supporting members are illusmated for simultaneously transferring six eggs which are transported in a row in the disclosed embodiment of the invention. More or less supporting members may be employed if so desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 12a, the operation of the supporting means is illustrated as the same is employed between an infeed conveyor section 3, defined by a series of spaced rollers 125 which are driven by a sprocket shaft 126, and the main conveyor section 7 comprising aforementioned contoured rollers 51. In this connection, it should be understood that generally the first conveyor section 3 from which eggs are to be received is generally on a higher level than is the second conveyor section 7 to which the eggs are to be delivered. Accordingly, the mounting plate 111 is positioned in the gap between the conveyor sections at \an angle relative to the horizontal so that the eggs can roll downwardly from one conveyor section onto the other conveyor section.

The projecting end 121 of each flexible supporting member 119 overlies and periodically and sequentially contacts a circumferentially grooved portion 55 of each roller of conveyor 7 as the conveyor rotates about its driving sprockets. As seen in FIG. 12 when no egg is supported on a given supporting member, and such sup porting member is out of contact with a roller 51, the projecting end 121 thereof is free to droop downwardly into the space between adjacent rollers. As the conveyor section 7 moves about its sprockets, a roller will contact the projecting end 121 of the supporting member and move the same upwardly generally to the position shown in FIG. 12a. When in this position, (an egg may roll down the supporting member and be supported for its whole travel into the space between adjacent conveyor rollers 51 without dropping :or abruptly contacting such rollers. That is, the projecting end 121 bridges the gap between the conveyor sections completely and effectively so that the egg is supported for the time it is being transferred across such gap. Because when the supporting member is in the position of FIG. 12a the same is generally horizontal or slightly upturned, the egg does not drop a substantial distance and does not contact the conveyor rollers 51 with other than :a if any, impact. As a rmult, egg damage is precluded. Because the two conveyor sections are :driven in timed relationship, movement thereof relative to each other may be regulated to eliminate all contact between adjacent eggs. That is, it is possible to insure that an egg will have cleared a given supporting member and will have been deposited on conveyor 7 before another egg is permitted to roll onto such supporting member.

Although the subject supporting means is illustrated positioned in the gap between an infeed conveyor and the main conveyor, a similar arrangement could be employed at the discharge end of the conveyor. The operation in such case would be the same.

While specific embodiments of the subject apparatus have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications thereof which are devised hereinafter by others after studying this disclosure also are intended to be included within the scope of this invention and the same should be interpreted in light of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for washing rollable, easily damaged articles, such as eggs, comprising a conveyor including means for maintaining articles to be washed in spaced side-byside rows and for continuously moving said rows of articles past a washing station while simultaneously rolling said articles about their respective axes as the same are being conveyed, and structure at said washing station for thoroughly scrubbing said articles; said scrubbing structure comprising an elongated carrier mounted for vertical reciprocation above said conveyor, said carrier comprising plate structure which has a multiplicity of apertures extending therethrough in line with said conveyor, article scrubbing means mounted on the underside of said plate structure of said carrier which are repeatedly engageable with said articles as said carrier reciprocates vertically while said articles roll beneath said carrier, means for effecting rapid and repeated vertical reciprocation of said carrier, means for supplying washing fluid to the upperside of said carrier plate structure for substantially its full length and width for application by said scrubbing means to said articles as the articles are scrub-bed by said scrubbing means, and means for spray rinsing said articles with a rinsing fluid after the art cles have been scrubbed by said scrubbing means; said scrubbing means comprising a multiplicity of closely arranged soft and flexible brush bristle tufts depending from said carrier plate structure, said bristle tufts being generally aligned with said apertures through said carrier plate structure whereby washing fluid supplied to said plate structure passes through said apertures onto said bristle tufts for direct application thereby to said articles being scrubbed, adjacent bristle tufts generally contacting each other and thereby presenting a substantially continuous solid brush structure dependin from said carrier plate structure which extends generally the full length and width thereof above said conveyor, said bristle tufts being arranged in longitudinal series along the length of said carrier plate structure, the tufts of each of said series being of varying lengths and being arranged on said carrier so that the depending ends of the tufts of each series define a concave configuration which generally conforms to the outer contour of the articles being washed, so that the entire outer surfaces of said articles are thoroughly scrubbed as the articles roll past said washing station.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said bristle tufts depend from said carrier in generally aligned rows extending transversely of said carrier, the tufts of alternate rows of tufts being arranged in staggered out-of-line relationship with each other to provide said generally solid brush structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a plurality of vertically extending guide rods above said conveyor, each of said rods extending through said carrier whereby said carrier is slidably movable on said guide rods for said vertical reciprocation thereon, and spring means in conjunction with said guide rods in contact with said carrier for maintaining spring pressure on said carrier during reciprocation thereof to preclude canting of said carrier during such reciprocation.

4. In combination with apparatus for handling fragile articles, such as eggs, which comprises first and second conveyor sections for moving rows of said articles in sideby-side spaced relationship through said apparatus, said conveyor sections being spaced from each other whereby a gap exists therebetween, means for supporting simultaneously a row of said articles as the articles are transferred from said first conveyor section to said second conveyor section while maintaining the articles in said row spaced from and out of contact with each other, said means comprising a generally rigid mounting plate traversing the gap between said conveyor sections and extending generally the full width thereof, said mounting plate being located in close proximity to said first conveyor section, and a plurality of generally discrete concavely contoured flexible supporting members arranged side by side and projecting from said mounting plate to- Ward said second conveyor section, each of said members including a projecting end which is free to bend independently of said mounting plate, the projecting end of each of said members being engaged with said second conveyor section and being movable in response to movement thereof as said conveyor sections move relative to each other, said supporting members being flexibly movable independently of each other whereby each of said members is capable of supporting one of said articles of said row and precluding contact of such article with the other articles of said row as said row of articles [is simultaneously transferred onto said second conveyor section, and means adjustably mounting said mounting plate between said conveyor sections.

5. Apparatus for Washing easily damaged articles, such as eggs, comprising conveyor means for moving articles to be Washed past a washing station in side-by-side rows, and structure at said washing station for scrubbing saidarticles; said scrubbing structure comprising an elongated carrier mounted for vertical reciprocation above said conveyor means, said carrier comprising plate structure having a multiplicity of apertures extending therethrough above said conveyor means, article scrubbing means depending from the underside of said plate structure of said carrier so that said scrubbing means is repeatedly engaged with said articles on said conveyor means at said station as said carrier reciprocates vertically, means for effecting vertical reciprocation of said carrier, and means for supplying washing fluid to the upperside of said plate structure for application by said depending scrubbing means directly onto articles on said conveyor means beneath said plate structure; said scrubbing means comprising a multiplicity of closely arranged flexible brush bristle tufts depending from said plate structure, ,said bristle tufts being generally aligned with apertures through said plate structure so that washing fluid supplied to said plate structure may pass through such apertures into contact with said bristle tufts for direct application thereby to the articles being scrubbed, said bristle tufts being arranged in longitudinal series along said plate structure, the tufts in each of said series being of varying lengths and being arranged on said plate structure so that the depending ends of the tufts of each series define a concave configuration which generally conforms to the contour of the articles being scrubbed by said apparatus.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 650,577 Wiens May 29, 1900 1,047,338 Tompkin Dec. 17, 1912 1,780,924 Ingraham Nov. 11, 1930 1,796,699 Wyland Mar. -17, 1931 2,080,197 Brandenburg May 11, 1937 2,080,198 Brandenburg May 11, 1937 2,412,565 Davis Dec. 17, 1946 2,555,193 Johnson May 29, 1951 2,634,442 Johnson Apr. 14, 1953 2,979,746 Willsey Apr. 18, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 122,922 Australia Nov. 116, 1946 745,616 Great Britain Feb. 29, 1956 

4. IN COMBINATION WITH APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FRAGILE ARTICLES, SUCH AS EGGS, WHICH COMPRISES FIRST AND SECOND CONVEYOR SECTIONS FOR MOVING ROWS OF SAID ARTICLES IN SIDEBY-SIDE SPACED RELATIONSHIP THROUGH SAID APPARATUS, SAID CONVEYOR SECTIONS BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER WHEREBY A GAP EXISTS THEREBETWEEN, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SIMULTANEOUSLY A ROW OF SAID ARTICLES AS THE ARTICLES ARE TRANSFERRED FROM SAID FIRST CONVEYOR SECTION TO SAID SECOND CONVEYOR SECTION WHILE MAINTAINING THE ARTICLES IN SAID ROW SPACED FROM AND OUT OF CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A GENERALLY RIGID MOUNTING PLATE TRAVERSING THE GAP BETWEEN SAID CONVEYOR SECTIONS AND EXTENDING GENERALLY THE FULL WIDTH THEREOF, SAID MOUNTING PLATE BEING LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID FIRST CONVEYOR SECTION, AND A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY DISCRETE CONCAVELY CONTOURED FLEXIBLE SUPPORTING MEMBERS ARRANGED SIDE BY SIDE AND PROJECTING FROM SAID MOUNTING PLATE TOWARD SAID SECOND CONVEYOR SECTION, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS INCLUDING A PROJECTING END WHICH IS FREE TO BEND INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID MOUNTING PLATE, THE PROJECTING END OF EACH OF SAID MEMBERS BEING ENGAGED WITH SAID SECOND CONVEYOR SECTION AND BEING MOVABLE IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT THEREOF AS SAID CONVEYOR SECTIONS MOVE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, SAID SUPPORTING MEMBERS BEING FLEXIBLY MOVABLE INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER WHEREBY EACH OF SAID MEMBERS IS CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING ONE OF SAID ARTICLES OF SAID ROW AND PRECLUDING CONTACT OF SUCH ARTICLE WITH THE OTHER ARTICLES OF SAID ROW AS SAID ROW OF ARTICLES IS SIMULTANEOUSLY TRANSFERRED ONTO SAID SECOND CONVEYOR SECTION, AND MEANS ADJUSTABLY MOUNTING SAID MOUNTING PLATE BETWEEN SAID CONVEYOR SECTIONS.
 5. APPARATUS FOR WASHING EASILY DAMAGED ARTICLES, SUCH AS EGGS, COMPRISING CONVEYOR MEANS FOR MOVING ARTICLES TO BE WASHED PAST A WASHING STATION IN SIDE-BY-SIDE ROWS, AND STRUCTURE AT SAID WASHING STATION FOR SCRUBBING SAID ARTICLES; SAID SCRUBBING STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED CARRIER MOUNTED FOR VERTICAL RECIPROCATION ABOVE SAID CONVEYOR MEANS, SAID CARRIER COMPRISING PLATE STRUCTURE HAVING A MULTIPLICITY OF APERTURES EXTENDING THERETHROUGH ABOVE SAID CONVEYOR MEANS, ARTICLE SCRUBBING MEANS DEPENDING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID PLATE STRUCTURE OF SAID CARRIER SO THAT SAID SCRUBBING MEANS IS REPEATEDLY ENGAGED WITH SAID ARTICLES ON SAID CONVEYOR MEANS AT SAID STATION AS SAID CARRIER RECIPROCATES VERTICALLY, MEANS FOR EFFECTING VERTICAL RECIPROCATION OF SAID CARRIER, AND MEANS FOR SUPPLYING WASHING FLUID TO THE UPPERSIDE OF SAID PLATE STRUCTURE FOR APPLICATION BY SAID DEPENDING SCRUBBING MEANS DIRECTLY ONTO ARTICLES ON SAID CONVEYOR MEANS BENEATH SAID PLATE STRUCTURE; SAID SCRUBBING MEANS COMPRISING A MULTIPLICITY OF CLOSELY ARRANGED FLEXIBLE BRUSH BRISTLE TUFTS DEPENDING FROM SAID PLATE STRUCTURE, SAID BRISTLE TUFTS BEING GENERALLY ALINGED WITH APERTURES THROUGH SAID PLATE STRUCTURE SO THAT WASHING FLUID SUPPLIED TO SAID PLATE STRUCTURE MAY PASS THROUGH SUCH APERTURES INTO CONTACT WITH SAID BRISTLE TUFTS FOR DIRECT APPLICATION THEREBY TO THE ARTICLES BEING SCRUBBED, SAID BRISTLE TUFTS BEING ARRANGED IN LONGITUDINAL SERIES ALONG SAID PLATE STRUCTURE, THE TUFTS IN EACH OF SAID SERIES BEING OF VARYING LENGTHS AND BEING ARRANGED ON SAID PLATE STRUCTURE SO THAT THE DEPENDING ENDS OF THE TUFTS OF EACH SERIES DEFINE A CONCAVE CONFIGURATION WHICH GENERALLY CONFORMS TO THE CONTOUR OF THE ARTICLES BEING SCRUBBED BY SAID APPARATUS. 